Seeking Updates on: Port of Spain, Santa Marta, Panama City, Willemstad

[satirelounge]

Hello-
Just read a great posting about Cartagena and I'm hoping somebody might have recent experience in one of the these locations and would be inclined to pass along the current opinion/status or outline? Or direct me to an up-to-date resource?
Any help is appreciated- we're curious to learn as much as possible on the following:
Port of Spain -Trinidad
Santa Marta -Colombia
Willemstad -Curacao
Panama City

We have piles of books and a short list of websites, but the on the ground (er water) reporting can't be beat!
Thanks

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, satirelounge.

[YOGAO]

Where are you sailing from?

Trinidad - go to Chaguaramas, not Port of Spain. Customs & Immigration are located at the eastern end of the port. You tie up to a dock that will be on your starboard. Immigration first, then to the ATM located between Immigration & Customs to get some $TT. You will need $50 TT to complete the Customs end. ($50 TT = just over $8 US).

Curacao - You may either enter Willemstad harbor directly (they pull open a huge swing bridge) and tie up to the sea wall, or sail into Spanish Waters and take a bus into Willemstad. Most cruisers hang out in Spanish Waters. If you go into Willemstad with your boat, make sure everything is locked up, especially at night.

In Curacao, it's Customs first then Immigration. Customs is on the east side of the harbor. Immigration is on the west side. Ask for directions - everyone is friendly.

That's all I know to date - Colombia and Panama are next on our itinerary.

Fair Winds,
Mike

[jim_thomsen]

We had work done on our generator and engine in Curacao. You go into the harbor through the swinging bridge and continue around the point to Curacao Marine. It's a very small marina, really only for boats using the repair services. But a safe place to stay even if it's not that beautiful. A bus from the biggest supermarket comes daily to give rides into town. The cost for the marina and repairs was very good.

For Panama city we stayed at the Balboa Yacht club moorings. Many other boats anchored in the bay south of there. The area is very nice, the few mile walk along a new beach path is enjoyable and taxis are available and cheap into downtown Panama City. We enjoyed Panama more than we thought we would.

[YOGAO]

If you plan on sailing from Trinidad to the Western Caribbean (Curacao, Aruba, Colombia, etc), make certain that you sail well north of Venezuela's Paria Peninsula, a known area for "pirates".

Many cruisers sail north towards Grenada and do not turn to the West until they reach the latitude of the big offshore oil rigs, at a minimum. Other cruisers sail to Grenada before turning West

Fair Winds,
Mike

[GordMay]

Free online Cruising Guide to Trinidad
➥ Trinidad Cruising Guide